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Here are previews of wrestling teams in the Kane County Chronicle coverage area.
BATAVIA BULLDOGS
Coach: Scott Bayer
Top athletes: Mikey Caliendo, jr., 145 pounds; Geremy Lewis, sr., 120; Tanner Oakes, so., 126; Alan Poreba, jr., 195; Alex Richards, sr., 220; Riley Woods, jr., 138.
Outlook: Caliendo, fourth in Class 3A last February at 138 pounds, had an incredibly active offseason. “I think he wants to be Batavia’s first state champion,” Bayer said. “He is hungry.” Richards, the only other Batavia returning sectional qualifier, anchors the upper weights.
BURLINGTON CENTRAL ROCKETS
Coach: Ashton Brown
Top athletes: Josue Ferro, jr., 220; Grayson Gardner, so., 160; Nathan Kim, so., 145; Patrick Paez, sr., 170; Gavin Underhill, jr., 138; Colin Wrobel, jr., 182.
Outlook: With two-time Class 2A state champion Nick Termini now plying his skills at Old Dominion, Ferro assumes the role of inspirational team leader. The junior was fourth at state at 220 last winter. The Rockets also have to make the adjustment to life in the Fox Valley Conference. “It’s definitely a good wrestling conference,” Brown said. “We certainly don’t expect to run the table in the dual meets.”
GENEVA VIKINGS
Coach: Tom Chernich
Top athletes: Jace Black, jr., 138; Ian Huck, sr., 126; Richard Krieger, sr., 195; Blake Kunkel, sr., 285; Justin Rupnow, sr., 152; Dylan Schlegel, so., 113; Hank Smith, sr., 220.
Outlook: Huck is part of a small local fraternity: a Class 3A returning state qualifier. “Win some matches at state and try to place at state is our goal for [Huck],” interim coach Jimmy Russell said. “He’s a lot stronger this year. He’s looking really good as of now.” Geneva figures to be more competitive this season. “We should be able to fill all the weight classes this year, which is a good thing,” Russell said.
MARMION CADETS
Coach: Nate Fitzenreider
Top athletes: Walter Green, jr., 138; Michael Jaffe, so., 120; Diego Sotelo, jr., 113.
Outlook: Marmion has been a state juggernaut for the last decade. The Cadets have captured every Class 3A regional since being elevated to the highest class eight years ago. Marmion was third at the team state finals a year ago. Sotelo is expected to compete at 113 pounds this winter after claiming a state championship at 106 last February.
ST. CHARLES EAST SAINTS
Coach: Jason Potter
Top athletes: Charles Fialka, jr., 145; David Gordon, jr., 132; Carter Maggio, sr., 182; Jake Penzato, jr., 126; Peyton Schroeder, sr., 138; Matt Sztuk, so., 120.
Outlook: As has been the case in recent years, the Saints enter the season ranked as a team to watch. “We learned a lot from last year,” Potter said. Schroeder is eyeing a state title. “That is definitely in his sights right now,” Potter said of his lone returning state qualifier. Penzato is another legitimate state-medal contender for St. Charles East.
ST. CHARLES NORTH
NORTH STARS
Coach: Brett Wikierak
Top athletes: Carson Janchik, so., 138; Josh Kolodziej, jr., 120; Jake Melone, so., 160; Colin Sons, jr., 132; Drew Surges, fr., 152; Marco Torres, jr., 170.
Outlook: The North Stars’ wrestling fortunes may be on the upswing after several seasons of poor numbers and coaching changes. “We are making strides,” first-year coach Wikierak said. “We owe an awful lot to [St. Charles East coach] Jason Potter. He does so much for the community.” St. Charles North has only been able to field a handful of athletes at the varsity level in recent years, but through determination and ties to football and baseball at the school, Wikierak has been able to dramatically increase the number.
ST. FRANCIS SPARTANS
Coach: Dan Page
Top athletes: John Andrwjewski, jr., 145; Michael D’Orazio, jr., 152; Ashwin Martin, sr., 126; Calvin Piemonte, jr., 132; Joey Spencer, fr., 120; Tyler Wood, fr., 285.
Outlook: The Spartans enter the season with increased expectations after being moved down to Class 1A this winter. D’Orazio has the most seasoned pedigree among St. Francis’ returning athletes.